Sifu + The Pit = Better Kaju AZ!

Sifu has called several times during his breaks at the Pit this weekend. He is always excited to tell me everything he has accomplished and learned, and especially grateful for the short break. He is having a blast learning new drills, nutrition info and pushing his body to the limits. He is energized and very excited to bring it all back to our Kaju AZ students.


One thing is for sure: Sifu loves The Pit! His time away from the dojo (and family and work) is hard for him but his sacrifices make Kaju AZ that much better! Watch for more updates from the Pit at http://www.thepit.tv.

Have a great week! Sifu and I look forward to sharing the details of our trip to visit Sijo, the Lua seminar and more next week!

Simou Jen

It's Not All About the Numbers!

During the black belt training with the Lim's a few weeks ago, Aunty Patrice pointed out a statement made by a student. She said, “One of my students one time made a statement that was very profound, he said, it’s not about Grab Art number one. It’s more than just the number, it’s the repetition in the training that prepares us to be ready to use the elements that we have learned.” We (the various black belts in the training) were lined up, looking forward, standing at attention. She then asked me directly if I knew who said it. I paused because I didn’t want to say it was me (what if she didn’t think it was me?). She then said, “You should know, because it was you, Corder.”

We start by teaching front grabs one and two. We introduce the student to the technique, naming it by its number. Is it any wonder that students from that point on focus on what number they have and what numbers they need for the next test? I contribute to it by asking during pre-tests, ‘What numbers do you need?’ We do need a common nomenclature to refer the techniques so that everyone is on the same page; and for this the numbers work very well indeed.

I have for a long time held the belief that our training has never been about the number itself. In real life, I will use whatever elements will work for a specific situation. The situation will depend on the distance between me and the attacker, the attacker’s size, the weapon the attacker is holding, the bystanders that I might be standing next too, etc. The variables make it so that you can’t start at number one and fast forward through the numbers looking for the one that fits the situation. Real life won’t give you the luxury of time to decide the technique that best fits the situation. Real life requires quick analysis of the situation and then action. The physical training prepares our bodies to move quickly and efficiently after we have made the determination of the course of action that is required. The physical training also prepares our minds in several ways. If we have never taken a hit, we don’t know how to handle the hit when it does come. During a real situation, we will become tired more quickly than we would in a training class. A real situation causes adrenaline and a change in breathing patterns. This gives an energy boost initially, but quickly we can become fatigued. Our training allows us to handle the fatigue. This is one of the main reasons why we train hard.

Before I continue, I would like to point that sure, there are schools that never take you to the edge mentally and physically. And there are schools that never make contact. This is not a service to the students. There are even schools that might actually be too rough...this also is not a service to the students. After all, we do want to train together tomorrow, right? Where is the balance found? I’ll discuss this is in an upcoming message.

Rigorous training allows the student to become hardened mentally and physically. Continuous activity and drilling the techniques makes the techniques second nature. Now the student is ready for the next level. This is the level where there is no such thing as numbers. This is where the student experiments with various combinations and begins to develop their own favorite combinations that fit with their unique body style. This level is only reached after previous levels have been successfully accomplished. You cannot start at this level without the mind and body having been properly prepared.

Some students will want to jump straight to this level. Instructors should caution these students to first get the basics down and make sure they have the numbers as if they are second nature. This is required first before true progression can occur.

Some students will seek the numbers as if they were awards or trophies that can be collected. Having been shown the number and being able to superficially repeat the technique does not constitute mastery of that technique. Students that are simply collecting numbers need to be redirected back to number one and prove their level of mastery of the numbers starting at the beginning with number 1.

Students that have trouble remembering their numbers fall into two categories: those that have not let the techniques take root in the physical memory portion of their brain, or that do not have a proper retrieval method for gaining access to their physical memories. This of course assumes that the student is properly practicing their material on a repeated basis in and out of the dojo (without proper practice, there are no physical memories to access).

Part of the Instructor’s job as they work with students is to help them to make up meaningful names that can be associated with the numbers. This aids in the retrieval process. But the student must still make the association between the number and the name and the physical action, which is done by repeated practice.

Instructors should teach the numbers because they are the basics of what must be mastered. In your own training, spend time contemplating your unique qualities and apply this to your training. As you work in the circle, practice your numbers and also practice just letting it flow. As I tell the Black Belts, “Do not soften your hits too much.” Doing so weakens you and your training partner. But do make adjustments for the belt level of the person you are training with.

And remember, don’t cause injury! Hit hard without damaging – but learn exactly how much force is needed to actually do damage. At the end of a session, a student should know that they have just trained with a black belt. Not just because of the power of the hits, but because of the mastery of control. Nothing says Black Belt more than a fist coming full speed that stops at the top layers of skin and doesn’t cause damage.

Students: Know your numbers. Instructors: Teach the numbers. Everyone: Do not get trapped by the numbers. Martial arts is more than just the numeric techniques we use for organized dojo training and testing. Remember: Martial Artists are leaders and are examples to everyone we meet and train with. Whether you want to be an example or not, you ARE an example. So let’s be GOOD examples.

As always, Train Strong to Remain Strong!

-Sifu Kelly Corder

Sifu's Message: Martial Arts is a GIFT!

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to train with other black belts and Professor George Lim. The training was rigorous with physical activity with some rest periods that were designed for some introspection and discussion. I used the time to open my mind up to any ideas or methods that I could bring back to our school for implementation. I did not learn any new earth-shattering techniques or concepts. And I wasn’t expecting to either. But a few thoughts did come to mind.

The first thought was how much of martial arts is a gift. It is truly not a commodity that you can walk in to any convenience store and come out with the techniques and skills of the type of martial arts that we train in. It is the culmination of experience and time spent working with students in groups and in one on one sessions. It is the sweat and tears of past experience coming forth in the present and delivered in such a way as to have the most impact and the most benefit that a person can possibly receive. Martial arts changes lives: it gives those that need confidence the tools they need to stand up straight and speak with a loud an clear voice; it generates enthusiasm for living a more fit life; it provides the means for some to be able to protect themselves or a loved one in a potentially dangerous situation.

As I was relearning a weapons form called “Staff Set” flashes of previous training sessions more than 8 years ago came into my mind. The emotions were overpowering and at several points I was choked up and nearly in tears. I could remember specific instances and the instruction that was being given to me by three different instructors on several different occasions. I could remember their exact words and tone of voice, and the patience they had with me as I was learning. I picked the form back up very quickly, but as I was repeatedly performing it on my own, the memories continued to come back. Finally, I stopped and it came to me: Staff Set was given to me with patience, and yes even love. It was beautifully wrapped and I did enjoy it. But it has sat unused in a closet for many years. After blowing the dust off and polishing it back up to a nice shine, I think I can properly make use of the gift. I believe that the best use of this gift is to 1) first show those that gave it to me how much I appreciate it by not letting it go unused, 2) gifting it to someone that will do likewise, and 3) letting my students know where the gift came from in the first place.

Instructors and students should be aware of how much this art is a gift. Your instructor is gifting you with his knowledge, time, patience, energy, and compassion. No amount of money or monthly fees can truly pay for the gifts that are given and received. Sure, a monthly fee is charged, this pays for the location to train, but hardly any more than that. The gifts of the knowledge and skills are extra special because they are so very unique to each instructor. Each individual instructor has a unique perspective and training experience in the martial arts. Much of the knowledge that we receive and pass on to students is done through many hours of sweat, and even tears. It is earned by hard work and sometimes slow progress. It is earned by humility as we put aside our existing biases and try to see through the instructor’s eyes while the instructor is trying to see through our eyes.

The word of the month for May was compassion. How appropriate! Treat your skills as the gifts they are. Remember them and be thankful. Everyone that has spent time with you in increasing your skills should be respected for that time and effort expended on your behalf. I now more fully understand why we salute our ‘elders’ in the dojo. And I appreciate all our students and their families – for allowing me to give this gift to them. I learn more than I teach and am a better person because of the impact of each of you in my life.

I would like to thank my instructors that have spent time and energy on my behalf to help me become a better martial artist:

I learned my basics from my Kenpo Professor and his wife: Professor George Lim and Aunty Patrice Lim. For the first several years all of my kata that I learned came from Aunty Patrice. I did not recognize the privilege of that at the time. Looking back and knowing how exact and dedicated she is to the perfection of the art, I now understand what a privilege it was. Professor, of course, influenced me in a lot of ways...most importantly, to relax - and sometimes I actually do.

I learned my Kajukenbo from Professor Sal Banuelos. Although I am not under the NAK umbrella, I recognize the knowledge that he taught me and recognize him as the very talented martial artist that he is. I was very fortunate to find NAK when I did, and was able to continue my training. It was through this process that I learned that I wanted to teach. And I am thankful to him for the many good memories that were made with NAK. NAK's Sihing Henry and Sifu Chava are also talented martial artists and instructors that I have had the opportunity to train with and learn from: I am thankful for that period of my training.

Kumu Hackleman's Pit training has provided me training seminars that truly help me to improve our school's MMA program in a very unique way. He has taught me so much already and I appreciate our affiliation.

Peppered throughout my classes, students will often hear statements like: 'my Kaju Professor says...' or 'Kumu Hackleman taught that...' Our recognition of where our knowledge comes from closes the circle on the gifts that we have been given.

Obviously, I have not yet perfected my art. I look forward to many more years of learning, growing and teaching. I appreciate not only all my instructors but my students as well for their willingness to accept the gifts I am now able to pass on to them.

As always, Train Strong to Remain Strong!
Sifu Kelly Corder